Billiard Table Cleaning Device

ABSTRACT

A billiard table cleaning device for autonomous cleaning of a playing surface of a billiard table includes a housing, which defines an interior space and which has at least one linear side. A drive unit is engaged to a bottom of the housing and is configured to selectively motivate the housing across a playing surface of a billiard table. A vacuum assembly is engaged to the housing and is positioned in the interior space. The vacuum assembly suctions air and debris, such as chalk dust, through slots positioned in the bottom and expels filtered air through vents positioned in or proximate to a top of the housing, thereby cleaning the playing surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

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Background of the Invention (1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to cleaning devices and more particularly pertains to a new cleaning device for autonomous cleaning of a playing surface of a billiard table. The present invention discloses a cleaning device comprising an autonomous vacuuming device, which is configured to suction debris from a totality of a playing surface of a billiard table.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to cleaning devices, which in the case of playing surfaces of billiard tables comprises brushes. Regular vacuum cleaners also have been used for cleaning these playing surfaces. Additionally, autonomous vacuum cleaners exit in the prior art, but these are not designed for or compatible with the playing surfaces of billiard tables. What is lacking in the prior art is a cleaning device comprising an autonomous vacuuming device, which is configured to suction debris from a totality of a playing surface of a billiard table.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a housing, which defines an interior space and which has at least one linear side. A drive unit is engaged to a bottom of the housing and is configured to selectively motivate the housing across a playing surface of a billiard table. A vacuum assembly is engaged to the housing and is positioned in the interior space. The vacuum assembly is configured to suction air and debris, such as chalk dust, through slots positioned in the bottom and to expel filtered air through vents positioned in or proximate to a top of the housing, thus cleaning the playing surface.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view of a billiard table cleaning device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, a new cleaning device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6 , the billiard table cleaning device 10 generally comprises a housing 12, which defines an interior space 14 and which has at least one linear side 16. The housing 12 has a bottom 18 and a top 20, with the top 20 being circumferentially smaller than the bottom 18 so that the at least one linear side 16 tapers from the bottom 18 to the top 20. The at least one linear side 16 is configured to enter a gap 22 defined by a cushion 24 and a playing surface 26 of a billiard table 28, which typically comprises baize. The housing 12 may be substantially square frustum shaped, as shown in FIG. 1 , wherein a lower portion 30 of the housing 12 is configured to enter the gap 22. The present invention also anticipates the housing 12 being triangular frustum shaped, pentagonal frustum shaped, and the like.

A drive unit 32 is engaged to a bottom 18 of the housing 12 and is configured to selectively motivate the housing 12 across the playing surface 26 of the billiard table 28. The drive unit 32 comprises a battery 34, a microprocessor 36, a first motor 38, and a second motor 40, all of which are engaged to the housing 12 and positioned in the interior space 14. The microprocessor 36 is operationally engaged to the battery 34, the first motor 38, and the second motor 40. The battery 34 is rechargeable. A port 42 is engaged to the housing 12 and is operationally engaged to the battery 34. The port 42 is configured for insertion of a plug of a charging cord (not shown) to operationally engage the battery 34 to a source of electrical current for charging the battery 34.

The drive unit 32 also comprises a disc 44, which is rotationally engaged to the bottom 18 of the housing 12 and which is operationally engaged to the first motor 38. A plurality of wheels 46 is engaged to the disc 44 and is operationally engaged to the second motor 40. The microprocessor 36 is positioned to selectively actuate the second motor 40 to rotate the wheels 46 to selectively motivate the housing 12 across the playing surface 26. The microprocessor 36 also is positioned to selectively actuate the first motor 38 to rotate the disc 44 relative to the housing 12 to control a direction of the housing 12.

The first motor 38 and the second motor 40 may be selectively reversible so that the disc 44 and the wheels 46 are reversibly rotatable, thus increasing maneuverability of the housing 12 on the playing surface 26. The plurality of wheels 46 may comprise two wheels 46, as shown in FIG. 2 , or three or more wheels 46 (not shown). The present invention also anticipates the wheels 46 being independently engaged to the second motor 40 so that the second motor 40 is positioned to selectively rotate respective wheels 46 to control the direction of the housing 12, in which configuration the disc 44 would not be required.

A plurality of bearing balls 48 is rotationally engaged to and extends from the bottom 18 of the housing 12 and is positioned around a perimeter 50 of the bottom 18. The bearing balls 48 are configured to roll along the playing surface 26 and to retain the bottom 18 of the housing 12 in parallel with, and slightly elevated from, the playing surface 26 so that the air and debris can pass between the housing 12 and the playing surface 26. In a configuration wherein the plurality of wheels 46 comprises three or more wheels 46, the plurality of bearing balls 48 would not necessarily be required.

A vacuum assembly 52 is engaged to the housing 12 and is positioned in the interior space 14. The vacuum assembly 52 is configured to suction air and debris, such as chalk dust, through slots 54 positioned in the bottom 18 and to expel filtered air through vents 56 positioned in or proximate to a top 20 of the housing 12, thus cleaning the playing surface. As shown in FIG. 2 , the slots 54 are elongated and are positioned proximate to and in parallel with the perimeter 50 of the bottom 18. As shown in FIG. 1 , the vents 56 are positioned in a side 58 of the housing 12 proximate to the top 20. The billiard table cleaning device 10 is anticipated to be useful in removing chalk and other debris from the playing surface 26 without damaging the playing surface 26.

The vacuum assembly 52 comprises a vacuum motor 60, which is operationally engaged to the microprocessor 36. A chamber 62 is positioned between the bottom 18 of the housing 12 and the vacuum motor 60. The chamber 62 is in fluidic communication with the slots 54 and the vents 56. A fan 64 is operationally engaged to the vacuum motor 60 and is positioned at an upper end 66 of the chamber 62. A filter 68 is engaged to the chamber 62 and is positioned proximate to the fan 64. The filter 68 is configured to filter the debris from the air flowing from the slots 54 through the chamber 62 so that the debris is retained within the chamber 62.

A controller 70 is engaged to the top 20 of the housing 12 and is operationally engaged to the microprocessor 36. The controller 70 is positioned to selectively actuate the microprocessor 36 and is configured for entry of commands into the microprocessor 36. As shown in FIG. 5 , the controller 70 comprises a set of buttons 72, each of which is depressible. Each button 72 is configured to be depressed to actuate the microprocessor 36 and to enter a respective command into the microprocessor 36 corresponding to a size of an associated billiard table 28. The present invention anticipates programming code being positioned on the microprocessor 36 enabling it to control the first motor 38 and the second motor 40 such that the housing 12 traverses a pattern the encompasses a totality of the playing surface 26.

In use, the battery 34 is charged and then the housing 12 is positioned upon the playing surface 26 with the top 20 up. A respective button 72 corresponding to a size of the billiard table 28 is depressed, signaling the microprocessor 36 to actuate the first motor 38, the second motor 40, and the vacuum motor 60. The billiard table cleaning device 10 then traverses the playing surface 26 removing debris. The lower portion 30 of the housing 12 fits into the gaps 22 between cushions 24 and the playing surface 26 so that debris is removed from all of the playing surface 26.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements. 

I claim:
 1. A billiard table cleaning device comprising: a housing defining an interior space, the housing having at least one linear side; a drive unit engaged to a bottom of the housing and being configured for selectively motivating the housing across a playing surface of a billiard table; and a vacuum assembly engaged to the housing and positioned in the interior space, wherein the vacuum assembly is configured for suctioning air and debris through slots positioned in the bottom and for expelling filtered air through vents positioned in or proximate to a top of the housing.
 2. The billiard table cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the top of the housing is circumferentially smaller than the bottom, such that the at least one linear side tapers from the bottom to the top, wherein the at least one linear side is configured for entering a gap defined by a cushion and the playing surface.
 3. The billiard table cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the housing is substantially square frustum shaped, wherein a lower portion of the housing is configured for entering a gap defined by a cushion and the playing surface.
 4. The billiard table cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the drive unit comprises: a battery engaged to the housing and positioned in the interior space; a microprocessor engaged to the housing and positioned in the interior space, the microprocessor being operationally engaged to the battery; a first motor engaged to the housing and positioned in the interior space, the first motor being operationally engaged to the microprocessor; a disc rotationally engaged to the bottom of the housing and being operationally engaged to the first motor; a second motor engaged to the housing and positioned in the interior space, the second motor being operationally engaged to the microprocessor; and a plurality of wheels engaged to the disc and being operationally engaged to the second motor, such that the microprocessor is positioned for selectively actuating the second motor for rotating the wheels for selectively motivating the housing across the playing surface and for selectively actuating the first motor for rotating the disc relative to the housing for controlling a direction of the housing.
 5. The billiard table cleaning device of claim 4, further including: the battery being rechargeable; and a port engaged to the housing and being operationally engaged to the battery, wherein the port is configured for insertion of a plug of a charging cord for operationally engaging the battery to a source of electrical current for charging the battery.
 6. The billiard table cleaning device of claim 4, wherein the first motor and the second motor are reversible, such that the disc and the wheels are reversibly rotatable.
 7. The billiard table cleaning device of claim 4, wherein the plurality of wheels comprises two wheels.
 8. The billiard table cleaning device of claim 1, further including a plurality of bearing balls rotationally engaged to and extending from the bottom of the housing and being positioned around a perimeter of the bottom, wherein the bearing balls are configured for rolling along the playing surface and for retaining the bottom of the housing in parallel with and slightly elevated from the playing surface, such that the air and debris can pass between the housing and the playing surface.
 9. The billiard table cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the slots are elongated and being positioned proximate to and in parallel with a perimeter of the bottom.
 10. The billiard table cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the vents are positioned in a side of the housing proximate to a top of the housing.
 11. The billiard table cleaning device of claim 4, wherein the vacuum assembly comprises: a vacuum motor operationally engaged to the microprocessor; a chamber positioned between the bottom of the housing and the vacuum motor, the chamber being in fluidic communication with the slots and the vents; a fan operationally engaged to the vacuum motor and being positioned at an upper end of the chamber; and a filter engaged to the chamber and positioned proximate to the fan, wherein the filter is configured for filtering the debris from the air flowing from the slots through the chambers, such that the debris is retained within the chamber.
 12. The billiard table cleaning device of claim 4, further including a controller engaged to a top of the housing and being operationally engaged to the microprocessor, such that the controller is positioned for selectively actuating the microprocessor and wherein the controller is configured for entering of commands into the microprocessor.
 13. The billiard table cleaning device of claim 12, wherein the controller comprises a set of buttons, the buttons being depressible, wherein each button is configured for depressing for actuating the microprocessor and for entering of a respective command into the microprocessor corresponding to a size of an associated billiard table.
 14. A billiard table cleaning system comprising: a billiard table having a playing surface; a housing defining an interior space, the housing having at least one linear side; a drive unit engaged to a bottom of the housing and being configured for selectively motivating the housing across the playing surface; and a vacuum assembly engaged to the housing and positioned in the interior space, wherein the vacuum assembly is configured for suctioning air and debris through slots positioned in the bottom and for expelling filtered air through vents positioned in or proximate to a top of the housing.
 15. The billiard table cleaning system of claim 14, wherein the housing is substantially square frustum shaped, wherein a lower portion of the housing is configured for entering a gap defined by a cushion and the playing surface of the billiard table.
 16. The billiard table cleaning system of claim 14, wherein the drive unit comprises: a battery engaged to the housing and positioned in the interior space, the battery being rechargeable; a port engaged to the housing and being operationally engaged to the battery, wherein the port is configured for insertion of a plug of a charging cord for operationally engaging the battery to a source of electrical current for charging the battery; a microprocessor engaged to the housing and positioned in the interior space, the microprocessor being operationally engaged to the battery; a first motor engaged to the housing and positioned in the interior space, the first motor being operationally engaged to the microprocessor; a disc rotationally engaged to the bottom of the housing and being operationally engaged to the first motor; a second motor engaged to the housing and positioned in the interior space, the second motor being operationally engaged to the microprocessor; a plurality of wheels engaged to the disc and being operationally engaged to the second motor, such that the microprocessor is positioned for selectively actuating the second motor for rotating the wheels for selectively motivating the housing across the playing surface and for selectively actuating the first motor for rotating the disc relative to the housing for controlling a direction of the housing; and a controller engaged to a top of the housing and being operationally engaged to the microprocessor, such that the controller is positioned for selectively actuating the microprocessor and wherein the controller is configured for entering of commands into the microprocessor, the controller comprising a set of buttons, the buttons being depressible, wherein each button is configured for depressing for actuating the microprocessor and for entering of a respective command into the microprocessor corresponding to a size of an associated billiard table.
 17. The billiard table cleaning system of claim 16, wherein the first motor and the second motor are reversible, such that the disc and the wheels are reversibly rotatable.
 18. The billiard table cleaning system of claim 14, further including a plurality of bearing balls rotationally engaged to and extending from the bottom of the housing and being positioned around a perimeter of the bottom, wherein the bearing balls are configured for rolling along the playing surface and for retaining the bottom of the housing in parallel with and slightly elevated from the playing surface, such that the air and debris can pass between the housing and the playing surface.
 19. The billiard table cleaning system of claim 16, wherein the vacuum assembly comprises: a vacuum motor operationally engaged to the microprocessor; a chamber positioned between the bottom of the housing and the vacuum motor, the chamber being in fluidic communication with the slots and the vents; a fan operationally engaged to the vacuum motor and being positioned at an upper end of the chamber; a filter engaged to the chamber and positioned proximate to the fan, wherein the filter is configured for filtering the debris from the air flowing from the slots through the chambers, such that the debris is retained within the chamber; the slots are elongated and being positioned proximate to and in parallel with a perimeter of the bottom; and the vents are positioned in a side of the housing proximate to a top of the housing.
 20. A billiard table cleaning device comprising: a housing defining an interior space, the housing having at least one linear side, the housing having a bottom and a top, the top being circumferentially smaller than the bottom, such that the at least one linear side tapers from the bottom to the top, wherein the at least one linear side is configured for entering a gap defined by a cushion and a playing surface of a billiard table, the housing being substantially square frustum shaped, wherein a lower portion of the housing is configured for entering the gap defined by the cushion and the playing surface; a drive unit engaged to the bottom of the housing and being configured for selectively motivating the housing across the playing surface, the drive unit comprising: a battery engaged to the housing and positioned in the interior space, the battery being rechargeable, a port engaged to the housing and being operationally engaged to the battery, wherein the port is configured for insertion of a plug of a charging cord for operationally engaging the battery to a source of electrical current for charging the battery, a microprocessor engaged to the housing and positioned in the interior space, the microprocessor being operationally engaged to the battery, a first motor engaged to the housing and positioned in the interior space, the first motor being operationally engaged to the microprocessor, a disc rotationally engaged to the bottom of the housing and being operationally engaged to the first motor, a second motor engaged to the housing and positioned in the interior space, the second motor being operationally engaged to the microprocessor, and a plurality of wheels engaged to the disc and being operationally engaged to the second motor, such that the microprocessor is positioned for selectively actuating the second motor for rotating the wheels for selectively motivating the housing across the playing surface and for selectively actuating the first motor for rotating the disc relative to the housing for controlling a direction of the housing, the first motor and the second motor being reversible, such that the disc and the wheels are reversibly rotatable, the plurality of wheels comprising two wheels; a plurality of bearing balls rotationally engaged to and extending from the bottom of the housing and being positioned around a perimeter of the bottom, wherein the bearing balls are configured for rolling along the playing surface and for retaining the bottom of the housing in parallel with and slightly elevated from the playing surface, such that the air and debris can pass between the housing and the playing surface; a vacuum assembly engaged to the housing and positioned in the interior space, wherein the vacuum assembly is configured for suctioning air and debris through slots positioned in the bottom and for expelling filtered air through vents positioned in or proximate to a top of the housing, the slots being elongated and being positioned proximate to and in parallel with the perimeter of the bottom, the vents being positioned in a side of the housing proximate to the top, the vacuum assembly comprising: a vacuum motor operationally engaged to the microprocessor, a chamber positioned between the bottom of the housing and the vacuum motor, the chamber being in fluidic communication with the slots and the vents, a fan operationally engaged to the vacuum motor and being positioned at an upper end of the chamber, and a filter engaged to the chamber and positioned proximate to the fan, wherein the filter is configured for filtering the debris from the air flowing from the slots through the chambers, such that the debris is retained within the chamber; and a controller engaged to the top of the housing and being operationally engaged to the microprocessor, such that the controller is positioned for selectively actuating the microprocessor and wherein the controller is configured for entering of commands into the microprocessor, the controller comprising a set of buttons, the buttons being depressible, wherein each button is configured for depressing for actuating the microprocessor and for entering of a respective command into the microprocessor corresponding to a size of an associated billiard table. 